Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; instrumentation ; methods ; Gallbladder Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Gastroenterology ; methods ; Humans

With the advancement of laparoscopic instruments and computer sciences, complex surgical procedures are expected to be safely performed by robot assisted telemanipulative laparoscopic surgery. The da Vinci system (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA, USA) became available at the many surgical fields. The wrist like movements of the instrument's tip, as well as 3-dimensional vision, could be expected to facilitate more complex laparoscopic procedure. Here, we present the first Korean experience of da Vinci robotic assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy and discuss the introduction and perspectives of this robotic system.
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic/*instrumentation/*methods ; Female ; Gallstones/*surgery ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; *Robotics ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transumbilical single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TSPLC).

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted for the 141 patients, who received TSPLC by DR. Jian in our hospital since April 2011 to October 2012, and the operative and postoperative effects of these patients were evaluated by comparing with that of the conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC).

RESULTSIn the total of 141 TSPLC cases that included in the study, 3 cases converted to CLC. 2 cases converted to open cholecystectomy. Additionally, 1 case was diagnosed as an unexplained bowel perforation after operation, fat liquefaction occurred in 2 patients. When comparing with these cases to 306 CLC patients, there was no obvious statistical difference in the terms of patients age, gender, BMI and abdominal surgery history (P>0.05). Meanwhile, There were similar effects of the two groups of patients on the operation time (28.5∓19.3 min vs 33.4∓14.2 min, P=0.001), estimate blood loss (6.4∓18.9 ml vs 9.8∓20.6 ml, P=0.06), the time needed for closing abdomen (5.1∓3.8 min vs 5.8∓4.3 min, P=0.06) and postoperative complications (3/141 vs 5/306, P=1.00). However, the TSPLC group was superior to CLC group in the terms of the conversion rate (2/141 vs 25/306,P=0.001), and postoperative hospitalization (1.2∓1.4 d vs 2.6∓1.7 d,P<0.01), meanwhile, TSPLC was also superior to LC on the satisfactory degree of operative effect through the one week follow-up (8.5∓1.1 vs 7.9∓0.7, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTSPLC is both safer and more effective than that of CLC, and thus it is worth adopting in selected hospitals.

Adult ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Gallbladder Diseases ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Herein, we firstly present the robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC) as performed in Asia and evaluate whether it could overcome the limitations of conventional laparoscopic single-site cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2013 to November 2013, RSSC for benign gallbladder (GB) disease was firstly performed consecutively in five patients. We evaluated these early experiences of RSSC and compared factors including clinicopathologic factors and operative outcomes with our initial cases of single-fulcrum laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SFLC). RESULTS: Four female patients and one male patient underwent RSSC. Neither open conversion nor bile duct injury or bile spillage was noted during surgery. In comparisons with SFLC, patient-related factors in terms of age, sex, Body Mass Index, diagnosis, and American Society of Anesthesiologist score showed no significant differences between two groups. There were no significant differences in the operative outcomes regarding intraoperative blood loss, bile spillage during operation, postoperative pain scale values, postoperative complications, and hospital stay between the two groups (p<0.05). Actual dissection time (p=0.003) and total operation time (p=0.001) were significantly longer in RSSC than in SFLC. There were no drain insertion or open conversion cases in either group. CONCLUSION: RSSC provides a comfortable environment and improved ergonomics to laparoscopic single-site cholecystectomy; however, this technique needs to be modified to allow for more effective intracorporeal movement. As experience and technical innovations continue, RSSC will soon be alternative procedure for well-selected benign GB disease.
Adult ; Asia ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic/instrumentation/*methods ; Dissection ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Gallbladder Diseases/surgery ; Humans ; Intraoperative Care ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/instrumentation/*methods ; Operative Time ; Robotics/instrumentation/*methods

INTRODUCTIONLaparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently the gold standard for removal of symptomatic gallbladders. The push in recent years toward reducing the number of ports required to perform this surgery has led to the development of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC). We report our early experience with SILC and assess its feasibility and safety.

METHODSA prospective study was conducted of the first 100 patients who presented with complaints of biliary colic and underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy via the single-port technique at our institution. SILC was performed via a single-port device such as a flexible umbilical port that could accommodate up to three surgical instruments. The port was inserted into a transumbilical incision around 15-20 mm long. Data on operative details and postoperative outcomes were collected and evaluated.

RESULTSThe mean operation time was 67.8 minutes. Six patients needed conversion, requiring extra 5-mm ports to complete the surgery. No serious intraoperative complications, such as bile duct injury or bile leakage, were encountered. Cosmesis from the scar hidden within the umbilical fold was excellent.

CONCLUSIONOur initial results of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy are promising, with no complications being seen in this early series. However, the drawbacks include the higher cost of equipment and a steeper learning curve. Further evaluation is required to assess the risks and benefits of this approach when compared with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Aged ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; instrumentation ; methods ; Colic ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Equipment Design ; Gallbladder Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Gastroenterology ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopes ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; methods ; Treatment Outcome